US6902345B2 - Ball joint - Google Patents
Ball joint Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US6902345B2 US6902345B2 US10/483,970 US48397004A US6902345B2 US 6902345 B2 US6902345 B2 US 6902345B2 US 48397004 A US48397004 A US 48397004A US 6902345 B2 US6902345 B2 US 6902345B2
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- housing
- joint
- ball joint
- ball
- bearing seat
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Fee Related
Links
Images
Classifications
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
- F16C—SHAFTS; FLEXIBLE SHAFTS; ELEMENTS OR CRANKSHAFT MECHANISMS; ROTARY BODIES OTHER THAN GEARING ELEMENTS; BEARINGS
- F16C11/00—Pivots; Pivotal connections
- F16C11/04—Pivotal connections
- F16C11/06—Ball-joints; Other joints having more than one degree of angular freedom, i.e. universal joints
- F16C11/0619—Ball-joints; Other joints having more than one degree of angular freedom, i.e. universal joints the female part comprising a blind socket receiving the male part
- F16C11/0623—Construction or details of the socket member
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
- Y10T403/00—Joints and connections
- Y10T403/32—Articulated members
- Y10T403/32606—Pivoted
- Y10T403/32631—Universal ball and socket
- Y10T403/32737—Universal ball and socket including liner, shim, or discrete seat
Definitions
- the invention relates to a ball joint, in particular for parts of the chassis of motor vehicles, as specified in the claims.
- a ball joint such as this is described in DE 40 32 541 A1; in this ball joint the pivot pin with joint ball is made of steel and the housing of the joint of a material possessing a significantly lower modulus of elasticity, specifically, a plastic.
- ball joints have also been disclosed in which the joint housing consists of a light metal alloy, as for example in the case of joints integrated into vehicle chassis parts such as suspension arms and the like.
- the object of the invention is to propose a generic ball joint of more rugged design at small additional cost.
- the reinforcing elements may be in the form of pins which may be inserted, poured, injected, etc., into the joint housing, depending on the material.
- the reinforcing elements are oriented so that they are positioned in the direction of application of the primary load to the joint opposite the joint ball and accordingly represent an excellent housing reinforcement and overload safety factor.
- the ball joint may be configured to particularly great advantage in such a way that the reinforcing elements additionally perform an emergency operation function even in the event of advanced wear of the joint such that they come into direct contact with the joint ball, for example, when steel slides on steel.
- the drawing illustrates a longitudinal section along the central axis of a ball joint having a housing of an aluminum alloy and reinforcing elements of steel mounted in the housing.
- the ball joint 10 shown in the drawing consists essentially of a housing 12 , a bearing seat 14 , a joint ball 16 with a pivot pin 18 molded on it, a retaining ring 20 rigidly connected to the housing 12 , and a flexible-rubber sealing cup 22 . Except as otherwise described, the ball joint 10 is of conventional design.
- the ball joint 10 and accordingly the interior of the joint are sealed off by the sealing cup 22 , which is pressed tightly by means of clamping rings 24 against the annular sealing lip 22 a on the side of the housing and against the also annular sealing lip 22 b for the pivot pin 18 .
- a spacer ring 26 is mounted by conventional means in the area between the joint ball 16 and the pivot pin 18 .
- the joint ball 16 is mounted pivotably and rotatably in the dome-shaped bearing seat 14 ; the bearing seat 14 may also be made up of several elements (in accordance with disclosed ball joint configurations).
- a flexible rubber sealing ring 28 (a so-called O-ring) is mounted in an annular groove 30 in the retaining ring 20 as a second sealing element of the ball joint 10 ; this sealing ring 28 is an element which seals the area below the sealing ring 28 between joint ball 16 , bearing seat 14 , and housing 12 .
- a suitable lubricant or joint grease is, of course, introduced into the area situated below the sealing cup 22 .
- the joint ball 16 with pivot pin 18 is made of steel with a high modulus of elasticity and is mounted in the bearing seat 14 .
- the bearing seat 14 is, of course, made of a suitable plastic bearing material.
- the housing 12 of the ball joint 10 is made of an aluminum alloy.
- Reinforcing elements 32 , 34 also made of steel having a higher modulus of elasticity are introduced into the more or less cupshaped housing 12 of the ball joint 10 .
- the pins 32 pressed more or less vertically to the pivot pin central axis 18 a into corresponding holes in the housing 12 are mounted so that they are situated opposite each other in the direction of application of the primary load (arrow 36 ) on the joint ball 16 and are positioned relatively near the dome-shaped recess 12 a in the housing.
- the pin 34 also of steel, is introduced as a reinforcing element into a corresponding hole in the housing 12 , the central axis of which pin is oriented more or less along the extended pivot pin central axis 18 a and more or less vertically relative to the center of the joint ball 16 .
- a head 34 a of greater diameter the frontal surface of which facing the bearing seat 14 is shaped so as to be of a concavity corresponding to the radius of the joint ball 16 .
- the reinforcing elements 32 , 34 can also ensure performance of an emergency operating function of the ball joint 10 in the event of extreme wear of this joint.
- additional pins 32 may also be provided which may be oriented either vertically relative to the plane of the drawing (as illustrated) or, for example, at an angle to such plane.
- the pin 34 may be provided in addition or as an alternative, but a plurality of pins 34 may also be mounted around the center of the ball joint.
- Other reinforcing elements such as ones of sintered materials, ceramic materials, and so forth may also be used in place of steel reinforcing elements.
- the housing 12 may also be produced by conventional means of plastic, if necessary with fiber reinforcement.
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Pivots And Pivotal Connections (AREA)
Abstract
The invention relates to a ball joint (10), particularly for chassis parts of motor vehicles, comprising a joint housing (12), at least one bearing seat (14) and one pivot pin (18) with a joint ball (16), which is mounted inside the bearing seat, and comprising a sealing cup (22) between the pivot pin and the housing, whereby the pivot pin is made of steel and the housing is made of a material having a low modulus of elasticity. Reinforcements (32, 34) made of a higher strength material, particularly also of steel, are placed inside the housing in order to provide the ball joint with a stronger construction.
Description
The invention relates to a ball joint, in particular for parts of the chassis of motor vehicles, as specified in the claims.
A ball joint such as this is described in DE 40 32 541 A1; in this ball joint the pivot pin with joint ball is made of steel and the housing of the joint of a material possessing a significantly lower modulus of elasticity, specifically, a plastic. However, ball joints have also been disclosed in which the joint housing consists of a light metal alloy, as for example in the case of joints integrated into vehicle chassis parts such as suspension arms and the like.
The object of the invention is to propose a generic ball joint of more rugged design at small additional cost.
It is claimed for the invention that this object is attained by the features specified in the independent claim. Advantageous developments of the invention are specified in the additional claims.
It is claimed for the invention that use is made in the housing of reinforcing elements of a material of higher strength, in particular also of steel, one which ensures increased strength and durability for the ball joint, in a motor vehicle, for example, when the vehicle rolls over a curb.
The reinforcing elements may be in the form of pins which may be inserted, poured, injected, etc., into the joint housing, depending on the material.
By preference the reinforcing elements are oriented so that they are positioned in the direction of application of the primary load to the joint opposite the joint ball and accordingly represent an excellent housing reinforcement and overload safety factor.
The ball joint may be configured to particularly great advantage in such a way that the reinforcing elements additionally perform an emergency operation function even in the event of advanced wear of the joint such that they come into direct contact with the joint ball, for example, when steel slides on steel.
An exemplary embodiment of the invention is described in detail in what follows. The drawing illustrates a longitudinal section along the central axis of a ball joint having a housing of an aluminum alloy and reinforcing elements of steel mounted in the housing.
The ball joint 10 shown in the drawing consists essentially of a housing 12, a bearing seat 14, a joint ball 16 with a pivot pin 18 molded on it, a retaining ring 20 rigidly connected to the housing 12, and a flexible-rubber sealing cup 22. Except as otherwise described, the ball joint 10 is of conventional design.
The ball joint 10 and accordingly the interior of the joint are sealed off by the sealing cup 22, which is pressed tightly by means of clamping rings 24 against the annular sealing lip 22 a on the side of the housing and against the also annular sealing lip 22 b for the pivot pin 18. A spacer ring 26 is mounted by conventional means in the area between the joint ball 16 and the pivot pin 18.
The joint ball 16 is mounted pivotably and rotatably in the dome-shaped bearing seat 14; the bearing seat 14 may also be made up of several elements (in accordance with disclosed ball joint configurations).
A flexible rubber sealing ring 28 (a so-called O-ring) is mounted in an annular groove 30 in the retaining ring 20 as a second sealing element of the ball joint 10; this sealing ring 28 is an element which seals the area below the sealing ring 28 between joint ball 16, bearing seat 14, and housing 12. A suitable lubricant or joint grease is, of course, introduced into the area situated below the sealing cup 22.
The joint ball 16 with pivot pin 18 is made of steel with a high modulus of elasticity and is mounted in the bearing seat 14. The bearing seat 14 is, of course, made of a suitable plastic bearing material.
The housing 12 of the ball joint 10, with a lower modulus of elasticity, is made of an aluminum alloy.
Reinforcing elements 32, 34 also made of steel having a higher modulus of elasticity are introduced into the more or less cupshaped housing 12 of the ball joint 10.
The pins 32 pressed more or less vertically to the pivot pin central axis 18 a into corresponding holes in the housing 12 are mounted so that they are situated opposite each other in the direction of application of the primary load (arrow 36) on the joint ball 16 and are positioned relatively near the dome-shaped recess 12 a in the housing.
In addition or as an alternative, the pin 34, also of steel, is introduced as a reinforcing element into a corresponding hole in the housing 12, the central axis of which pin is oriented more or less along the extended pivot pin central axis 18 a and more or less vertically relative to the center of the joint ball 16. There is mounted on the pin 34 a head 34 a of greater diameter the frontal surface of which facing the bearing seat 14 is shaped so as to be of a concavity corresponding to the radius of the joint ball 16.
In addition to the pins 32, 34 as elements reinforcing and stiffening the housing 12, the reinforcing elements 32, 34 can also ensure performance of an emergency operating function of the ball joint 10 in the event of extreme wear of this joint.
The invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiment illustrated. In place of the two pins 32 additional pins 32 may also be provided which may be oriented either vertically relative to the plane of the drawing (as illustrated) or, for example, at an angle to such plane. The pin 34 may be provided in addition or as an alternative, but a plurality of pins 34 may also be mounted around the center of the ball joint. Other reinforcing elements such as ones of sintered materials, ceramic materials, and so forth may also be used in place of steel reinforcing elements.
The housing 12 may also be produced by conventional means of plastic, if necessary with fiber reinforcement.
Claims (5)
1. A ball joint comprising:
a housing having a longitudinal centerline and a bearing seat surface provided with a center of curvature on said centerline;
a member having a modulus of elasticity greater than that of said housing, including a ball portion seated on said bearing seat surface and a stud portion; and
at least one reinforcing element having a modulus of elasticity greater than that of said housing, embedded in said housing.
2. A ball joint according to claim 1 wherein said reinforcing element is disposed on said housing centerline.
3. A ball joint according to claim 2 wherein said reinforcing element includes a surface forming a continuation of said bearing seat surface.
4. A ball joint according to claim 1 including at least two reinforcing elements disposed on opposite sides of said housing centerline.
5. A ball joint according to claim 3 including at least two reinforcing elements disposed on opposite sides of said housing centerline.
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
DE10139564.7 | 2001-08-10 | ||
DE10139564A DE10139564A1 (en) | 2001-08-10 | 2001-08-10 | Ball-and-socket joint for use in car suspension systems has steel ball and shaft and socket made of material with smaller E-modulus which is reinforced with steel pins |
PCT/EP2002/005133 WO2003014585A1 (en) | 2001-08-10 | 2002-05-10 | Ball joint |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20040202507A1 US20040202507A1 (en) | 2004-10-14 |
US6902345B2 true US6902345B2 (en) | 2005-06-07 |
Family
ID=7695186
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US10/483,970 Expired - Fee Related US6902345B2 (en) | 2001-08-10 | 2002-05-10 | Ball joint |
Country Status (5)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US6902345B2 (en) |
EP (1) | EP1415097B1 (en) |
DE (2) | DE10139564A1 (en) |
ES (1) | ES2252531T3 (en) |
WO (1) | WO2003014585A1 (en) |
Cited By (9)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20040146338A1 (en) * | 2002-01-11 | 2004-07-29 | Klaus Broker | Ball-and-socket joint |
US20070012839A1 (en) * | 2005-07-14 | 2007-01-18 | Garmin Ltd., A Cayman Islands Corporation | Mount assembly for electronic devices |
US20090205167A1 (en) * | 2008-02-14 | 2009-08-20 | Easley James B | Snap Assembly Friction Hinge |
US20090238637A1 (en) * | 2003-09-05 | 2009-09-24 | Zf Friedrichshafen Ag | Ball pivot |
US20100008714A1 (en) * | 2006-11-03 | 2010-01-14 | Manfred Bohne | Ball and socket joint |
US8851785B1 (en) | 2009-11-17 | 2014-10-07 | Trw Automotive U.S. Llc | Ball joint |
US20160069506A1 (en) * | 2013-04-04 | 2016-03-10 | Ben Shelef | Improved kinematic mount |
US20190390706A1 (en) * | 2017-03-07 | 2019-12-26 | Zf Friedrichshafen Ag | Ball joint |
US11549552B2 (en) * | 2018-08-29 | 2023-01-10 | Schaublin Sa | Anti pull-out collar for a ball joint |
Families Citing this family (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
JP4404307B2 (en) * | 2004-04-27 | 2010-01-27 | 武蔵精密工業株式会社 | Ball joint |
DE102006023951B4 (en) * | 2005-05-23 | 2012-02-09 | Lg Electronics Inc. | Dryer and drum holder device for it |
CN101289885B (en) * | 2008-05-23 | 2010-06-16 | 深圳贵航实业有限公司 | Glass curtain wall overlapping joint |
DE102016003781A1 (en) | 2016-03-29 | 2017-10-05 | Liebherr-Mining Equipment Colmar Sas | Sealing device for sealing the ball joint of a kingpin |
US10610005B2 (en) * | 2017-03-02 | 2020-04-07 | Aa R&D Llc | Adjustable end mascara |
CN114427965A (en) * | 2022-03-28 | 2022-05-03 | 迈赫机器人自动化股份有限公司 | Ball pin assembly design verification and durability test platform and use method thereof |
Citations (12)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
FR1057016A (en) | 1951-03-08 | 1954-03-04 | Ehrenreich & Cie A | Spherical cup-shaped housing for ball joint |
US2876029A (en) | 1953-12-28 | 1959-03-03 | Latzen Josef | Ball and socket joints |
US3602560A (en) | 1968-11-27 | 1971-08-31 | Skf Kugellagerfabriken Gmbh | Ball and socket joint |
US3650004A (en) * | 1969-12-22 | 1972-03-21 | Minnesota Mining & Mfg | Bearing repair |
DE3222308A1 (en) | 1981-06-24 | 1983-01-20 | General Motors Ltd., Dunstable, Bedfordshire | BALL JOINT CONNECTION FOR A WIPER |
US5152628A (en) | 1990-10-13 | 1992-10-06 | Trw Ehrenreich Gmbh & Co. Kg | Ball-and-socket joint |
DE4226986A1 (en) | 1992-08-14 | 1994-02-17 | Audi Ag | Vehicle suspension or steering ball joint - has plate inserts in bearing shell in housing to maintain joint assembly |
US5609433A (en) | 1995-08-01 | 1997-03-11 | Maclean-Fogg Company | Ball joint link and method of producing same |
US5641235A (en) | 1995-06-07 | 1997-06-24 | Dana Corporation | Composite encased ball joint |
US6505990B1 (en) * | 2001-06-22 | 2003-01-14 | Dana Corporation | Bearing socket liner for ball joint |
US20030081989A1 (en) * | 2001-10-29 | 2003-05-01 | Musashi Seimitsu Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha | Ball Joint |
US20040037621A1 (en) * | 2000-11-24 | 2004-02-26 | Yoshihiro Suzuki | Ball joint |
Family Cites Families (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
JPH0366913A (en) * | 1989-08-03 | 1991-03-22 | Ishikawa Tekko Kk | Ball joint |
-
2001
- 2001-08-10 DE DE10139564A patent/DE10139564A1/en not_active Withdrawn
-
2002
- 2002-05-10 EP EP02792560A patent/EP1415097B1/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 2002-05-10 US US10/483,970 patent/US6902345B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 2002-05-10 ES ES02792560T patent/ES2252531T3/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 2002-05-10 DE DE50204794T patent/DE50204794D1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 2002-05-10 WO PCT/EP2002/005133 patent/WO2003014585A1/en not_active Application Discontinuation
Patent Citations (12)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
FR1057016A (en) | 1951-03-08 | 1954-03-04 | Ehrenreich & Cie A | Spherical cup-shaped housing for ball joint |
US2876029A (en) | 1953-12-28 | 1959-03-03 | Latzen Josef | Ball and socket joints |
US3602560A (en) | 1968-11-27 | 1971-08-31 | Skf Kugellagerfabriken Gmbh | Ball and socket joint |
US3650004A (en) * | 1969-12-22 | 1972-03-21 | Minnesota Mining & Mfg | Bearing repair |
DE3222308A1 (en) | 1981-06-24 | 1983-01-20 | General Motors Ltd., Dunstable, Bedfordshire | BALL JOINT CONNECTION FOR A WIPER |
US5152628A (en) | 1990-10-13 | 1992-10-06 | Trw Ehrenreich Gmbh & Co. Kg | Ball-and-socket joint |
DE4226986A1 (en) | 1992-08-14 | 1994-02-17 | Audi Ag | Vehicle suspension or steering ball joint - has plate inserts in bearing shell in housing to maintain joint assembly |
US5641235A (en) | 1995-06-07 | 1997-06-24 | Dana Corporation | Composite encased ball joint |
US5609433A (en) | 1995-08-01 | 1997-03-11 | Maclean-Fogg Company | Ball joint link and method of producing same |
US20040037621A1 (en) * | 2000-11-24 | 2004-02-26 | Yoshihiro Suzuki | Ball joint |
US6505990B1 (en) * | 2001-06-22 | 2003-01-14 | Dana Corporation | Bearing socket liner for ball joint |
US20030081989A1 (en) * | 2001-10-29 | 2003-05-01 | Musashi Seimitsu Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha | Ball Joint |
Cited By (19)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US7357591B2 (en) * | 2002-01-11 | 2008-04-15 | ZF Lemförder Metallwaren AG | Ball-and-socket joint |
US20040146338A1 (en) * | 2002-01-11 | 2004-07-29 | Klaus Broker | Ball-and-socket joint |
US20090238637A1 (en) * | 2003-09-05 | 2009-09-24 | Zf Friedrichshafen Ag | Ball pivot |
US7841799B2 (en) * | 2003-09-05 | 2010-11-30 | Zf Friedrichshafen Ag | Ball pivot |
US20070012839A1 (en) * | 2005-07-14 | 2007-01-18 | Garmin Ltd., A Cayman Islands Corporation | Mount assembly for electronic devices |
US7219867B2 (en) * | 2005-07-14 | 2007-05-22 | Garmin Ltd. | Mount assembly for electronic devices |
US20070117419A1 (en) * | 2005-07-14 | 2007-05-24 | Garmin Ltd. | Mount assembly for electronic devices |
US20080023606A1 (en) * | 2005-07-14 | 2008-01-31 | Garmin Ltd. | Separable ball and socket assembly for electronic device mounts |
US7475858B2 (en) | 2005-07-14 | 2009-01-13 | Garmin Ltd. | Separable ball and socket assembly for electronic device mounts |
US7516928B2 (en) * | 2005-07-14 | 2009-04-14 | Garmin Ltd. | Mount assembly for electronic devices |
US8137021B2 (en) * | 2006-11-03 | 2012-03-20 | Zf Friedrichshafen Ag | Sealing element for a ball and socket joint |
US20100008714A1 (en) * | 2006-11-03 | 2010-01-14 | Manfred Bohne | Ball and socket joint |
US20090205167A1 (en) * | 2008-02-14 | 2009-08-20 | Easley James B | Snap Assembly Friction Hinge |
US7958599B2 (en) | 2008-02-14 | 2011-06-14 | Easley James B | Snap assembly friction hinge |
US8851785B1 (en) | 2009-11-17 | 2014-10-07 | Trw Automotive U.S. Llc | Ball joint |
US20160069506A1 (en) * | 2013-04-04 | 2016-03-10 | Ben Shelef | Improved kinematic mount |
US10151423B2 (en) * | 2013-04-04 | 2018-12-11 | Ben Shelef | Kinematic mount |
US20190390706A1 (en) * | 2017-03-07 | 2019-12-26 | Zf Friedrichshafen Ag | Ball joint |
US11549552B2 (en) * | 2018-08-29 | 2023-01-10 | Schaublin Sa | Anti pull-out collar for a ball joint |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
EP1415097A1 (en) | 2004-05-06 |
DE50204794D1 (en) | 2005-12-08 |
ES2252531T3 (en) | 2006-05-16 |
DE10139564A1 (en) | 2003-02-20 |
WO2003014585A1 (en) | 2003-02-20 |
US20040202507A1 (en) | 2004-10-14 |
EP1415097B1 (en) | 2005-11-02 |
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Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: AUDI AG, GERMANY Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:KUR, JAROMIR;REEL/FRAME:015489/0349 Effective date: 20031119 |
|
FPAY | Fee payment |
Year of fee payment: 4 |
|
FPAY | Fee payment |
Year of fee payment: 8 |
|
REMI | Maintenance fee reminder mailed | ||
LAPS | Lapse for failure to pay maintenance fees | ||
STCH | Information on status: patent discontinuation |
Free format text: PATENT EXPIRED DUE TO NONPAYMENT OF MAINTENANCE FEES UNDER 37 CFR 1.362 |
|
FP | Lapsed due to failure to pay maintenance fee |
Effective date: 20170607 |